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U.S President Joe Biden has announced an Israeli-led proposal that contained a three-part road map toward an end to cease fire in Gaza.
According to Biden, the proposal would end the fighting and the release of all remaining hostages taken Oct. 7, indicating a potential end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
“After intensive diplomacy carried out by my team, my many conversations with leaders of Israel, Qatar and Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries, Israel has offered a comprehensive new proposal. It’s a road map to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages,” Biden said.
The proposal has been transmitted to Hamas via Qatar, he said, but he indicated the U.S.-designated terrorist organization that runs the Gaza Strip had not yet formally accepted the plan.
“This is truly a decisive moment. Israel has made their proposal. Hamas says it wants a cease-fire — this deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it. Hamas needs to take the deal,” Biden said.
Biden also pleaded from the White House podium for Israelis to back the deal, arguing the military has devastated Hamas since the war began to the extent that Oct. 7 cannot be repeated.
“The people of Israel should know, they can make this offer without any further risk to their own security, because they’ve devastated Hamas … for the past eight months. At this point, Hamas no longer is capable of carrying out another Oct. 7, which is one of Israel’s main objective of this war, and quite frankly a righteous one,” the president said.
While adding he knows there are Israelis who may not agree with the negotiated deal, he warned against allowing for an indefinite war.
“I know there are those in Israel who will not agree with this plan and will call for the war to continue indefinitely. Some are even in the government coalition. They’ve made it clear they want to occupy Gaza, they want to keep fighting for years; the hostages are not a priority for them,” he said. “I urge Israel to stand behind this deal, despite whatever pressure comes.”
Biden laid out the proposal in three phases. An initial phase would include a six-week cease-fire, then a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of all remaining hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7.
It also includes parameters for internally displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, and reconstruction efforts of the devastated coastal enclave.
“As long as Hamas lives up to its commitment, a temporary cease-fire would become, in the words of the Israeli proposal, a cessation of hostilities permanently.”
The president noted he has had a “lifelong” commitment to Israel and visited the country when the war began to reaffirm his support for the country.
